Meet the Midwives

We believe that connecting with your midwife and creating a deep relationship built on trust and alignment is a key to a great birth experience. Over the course of care you will meet with both midwives so you always know your team. To learn more about our model of care, click here

  • A Louisiana native, Leila was born at home in Lacombe with midwives, and grew up around the normalcy of birth as an every day occurrence. Leila birthed both of her babies in a birth center in Florida and describes her births as “orgasmic and life changing”. After becoming a doula, spinning babies parent educator, lactation counselor, birthing from within mentor, prenatal yoga teacher, and midwife assistant, it was clear that Midwifery was her calling.

    “I believe in autonomy for both the midwife and the birthing families, and support licensed midwifery with full scope care, traditional midwifery, and attendants rooted in a lineage of cultural tradition, freebirth, and medical birth as desired. I believe in sovereign birth. I believe birth is a natural, normal event, that when respected, feared, and understood, rarely needs medical help but maintain skill and tools to do so and will not hesitate when needed.

    I believe in anti-racism, inclusivity, and freedom.

    My philosophy of care is deeply rooted in these beliefs and will hold them on the highest of esteem in every part of care that I offer.”

    Leila considers her spirituality to be nestled in duality, a christian and highly aware of the nuances of spirit, soul, and energy.

    Midwifery is an honorable role of service, protection, and devotion with the weight of wisdom, patience, and sacrifice, as a sherpa for matrescence. Midwifery work is activism.

    Leila took her education seriously and became a traveling student midwife in order to experience a wide variety of clinical sites, communities, and philosophies. This allowed her to become a well rounded, culturally respectful, and skilled provider. Leila has attended over 500+ births, and is skilled at twins, breech, VBAC, waterbirth, and birth in every type of environment.

    Leila graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Midwifery from Midwives College of Utah and is a Certified Professional Midwife through the North American Registry of Midwives. She is licensed in Louisiana. Mississippi currently does not have a licensing credential and recognizes Leila’s credentials as a midwife.

    Leila maintains credentials as a neonatal resuscitation provider, CPR, Breech without Boarder trained provider, and completes yearly continuing education to always develop skills and competency.

    As a NARM preceptor she plans to continue to develop more midwives for Louisiana.

    Louisiana is currently listed as the worst state in the nation for maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, cesarean sections, VBACs, STDs, poverty, and women’s rights. Even more, while these statistics seem like the biggest hurdle, there are only a handful of licensed practicing midwives in the state. Blatant systemic racism and fear of midwifery has been present for decades. Current regulations stand to bar midwives from attending VBACs, using their full scope, and offering well person care.

    In 2025, Leila has worked with other midwives to create the Louisiana Midwives Association, a NACPM chapter to aid legislative efforts for improving the midwifery law and rule to better serve the community, remove the obstetric risk assessment criteria, allow VBACs, and improve our drug formulary. Look forward to more from the LMA soon! Additionally, Leila’s focus on training more midwives allows for a louder voice for women and birthing people in Louisiana

  • Laura Perkins is a Certified Professional Midwife returning home to New Orleans after living and working for several years in Dallas, Tx. She is passionate about providing care that is crafted around each person's unique physical, emotional and mental needs.

    Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practice, informed choice, and a strong trust in the birth process. She is honored to walk alongside families during such a meaningful and formative chapter and looks forward to serving the community with warmth, skill, and dedication.

    Laura is Devotion Midwifery’s team midwife. This means that if Midwife Leila is in a birth, you will no longer or at least rarely have your visits rescheduled. This also means that if two babes decide to come at the same time, you have your well known and trusted midwife to attend you rather than just a backup.

Devotion Midwifery is passionate about making more midwives for Louisiana & Mississippi. You will have the opportunity to meet each student who may be at your birth, have the final say in who comes, and always are in charge of how much or how little you wants students part of your journey.

Student Midwives

  • Now in her third year of midwifery school and in her primary phase of training, Emma is deeply enjoying hands-on care and witnessing women’s strength firsthand. She dreams of one day opening a maternity home where mothers can birth and recover in peace, surrounded by support and gentleness. Teaching is another passion close to her heart, and she hopes to mentor future midwives and continue sharing knowledge and encouragement with others entering the field.

  • Kalli McKee, is a passionate mother, wife and birth worker. She stepped into the home birth world through the birth of her own children, she pursues all things natural and holistic as a lifestyle for herself and her family. Kalli is currently pursuing becoming a licensed CPM through the PEP program and attending births as a student midwife as well as juggling being a stay at home mom and homeschool mom of 4 little kiddos. Kalli is extremely passionate about physiological birth and protecting the sanctity of your specific birth desires. Kalli loves to see mothers get their successful home birth outcomes that they work for and deserve. Kalli plans to join the Devotion team once she is licensed and then eventually open up a practice of her own wherever the Lord leads her and her family in the future. As of now Kalli is located in Saint Amant LA and planning to service surrounding areas. Kalli is grateful for you allowing her to be part of witnessing your birth and servicing you and your family as you welcome your new little blessings into the world. 

Haley Deshautelle New Orleans

Assistant

  • Nicolette Quave is a wife, mother of three, doula and student midwife. The world of birth was opened to her after the birth of her first baby. What started off as emotional support as a doula has blossomed into pursing midwifery as a chance to change birth as it’s portrayed by the masses. Nicolette’s goal in midwifery is for everyone to know that they were made to birth their baby and to eliminate the need for the redemptive birth. Nicolette is currently following the PEP program to become a licensed certified professional midwife. She is planning on joining the Devotion team once she is licensed and eventually open up a practice of her own to service Gonzales, LA and surrounding areas. Nicolette is honored to be a part of your birth story and caring for you during such a monumental moment in your life.

Eli Keegan New Orleans

Assistant

  • Midwifery is a natural extension of Angelica’s calling to serve her community. She is dedicated to creating safe, affirming spaces for Black and Brown families to experience birth with dignity, choice, and joy. Her goal is to nurture lasting change by holding sacred space, sharing knowledge, and building community connections that honor every family’s unique story. Angelica is especially passionate about inspiring younger birthing people to explore their options and make informed choices that support their overall wellbeing and family health.